A 28-year-old woman miraculously survived after her husband accidentally shot her in the mouth with a harpoon, Brazilian officials said on Wednesday.
This image shows how the harpoon spear passed through the 28-year-old woman’s mouth and neck. Doctors believe if it came within one centimeter of killing her
Elisangela Borborema Rosa was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery after Monday’s horrific incident in the coastal city of Arraial do Cabo.
The Rio de Janeiro State Health Department said in a statement that the woman’s husband was cleaning his spear gun when it went off, firing a harpoon that hit her cervical spine.
The statement quotes neurosurgeon Allan da Costa as saying that the harpoon came within 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) of killing the woman. He said he expects a full recovery.
A police officer in Arrial do Cabo said by telephone that officials are looking into the case.
Elisangela Borborema Rosa was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery after Monday’s horrific incident in the Brazilian city of Arraial do Cabo
‘Everything indicates it was an accident, but we are investigating. We don’t think the husband tried to kill her,’ said the officer, who cited department policy in declining to let her name be used.
‘But once she fully recovers we will be able to question her and get a clearer picture of what happened.’
